Quick-Step Floors' Kittel strengthened his grip on the green jersey as leader of the points classification by winning his fourth stage of the Tour, with fellow German John Degenkolb of Trek-Segafredo second and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen of LottoNL-Jumbo third.

Team Sky's Froome crossed the line safely in the pack, keeping the three-time Tour winner 18 seconds clear of Italian national champion Fabio Aru in the general classification.

Fortuneo-Oscaro's Dan McLay had looked strong in the finale but launched his sprint too soon and faded to finish seventh at the end of the 178 kilometre stage from Perigueux to Bergerac.

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: AFP)

The race started at a strong pace as riders re-found their legs following Monday's rest day, but once a two-man breakaway - formed of Wanty-Groupe Gobert's Yoann Offredo and Fortuneo-Oscaro's Elie Gesbert - had gone clear, the peloton settled down for a gentle ride around the Dordogne.

The leading duo quickly built a lead of more than five minutes, but always knew their's was a doomed mission with the sprint teams eyeing their chance after two difficult days in the mountains, and with the Pyrenees looming later in the week.

Chris Froome still has the Yellow Jersey (Image: REUTERS)

The gap gradually began to fall, and the catch was made with seven kilometres to go as Offredo and Gesbert shook hands.

Team Sky led the peloton towards Bergerac in a bid to keep Froome safe before the sprint trains took over on the way into town.